Granny too soon

I just wanted to tell you about my friend's preemie daughter-it's an inspiring story which I hope you'll find comforting. Her little twin daughters were born at 25 weeks but because they were twins they were in the same condition as a 23 week baby. Very sadly, the smaller of the girls who weighed under 1lb did not survive the delivery but her twin did. She weighed 1lb 3oz. Five months in NICU, heart surgery, eye surgery,apnoeas, infections,, she's come through them all. She was on home oxygen until around 16/18 months Today that little girl is 2-she walks, talks, eats like a horse and is a positive little cutie. She's still small for her age but will catch up eventually. She has chronic lung disease and some residual eye problems but these will improve with maturity. She truly is a miracle baby.

Oh Lordy.....
The next generation has been warned!

'Cussed' is about right for mum, but I have to say that all five of her daughters have a fair share of 'feisty independence' in our genes.

'Cussed' comes to mind.....

Premies are scary but it sounds like things are heading the right way, lovely to hear x

Good to hear your positive news ga. Sounds like your mum is gradually going to bave to accept that she's been rumbled about her eating. My preemie grandaughters had a few ups and downs with infections and being put back on the CPAP to assist breathing, and it was scary knowing they were having brain scans, x-rays and other tests and treatments, but it was all part of the expertise of neonatal high dependency care and they went from strength to strength. It's great that she is in such safe hands. I hope you'll be able to relax a little in the next few days

"Awkward" is good GrannyA - not for you I know, but it shows the fight in your DM! Wonderful to hear about the baby's progress too.

GA, that's so good to hear, but they'd try the patience of a saint.....

Sorry, I shouldn't smile but your mum's behaviour is so like my dad's. Recently he phoned me to say he'd fallen backwards down the stairs, hurting his ribs because his leg had 'given way'. Mum's very deaf so as no good trying to establish how he was.

I drove 18 miles to their house and....mum knew zilch about it. He was kicking up a fuss so rang GP, wouldn't let me check him over. So he ably walked to the car, drove him 8 miles to surgery where he refused to let me go in while he saw GP. God knows what he told GP she said he'd had a stroke (!) but muggins told to take him to A&E.

Drive 15 miles to hospital where, after waiting 4 hours with him complaining he was an 'emergency' (not! I'm a nurse and strongly doubting his story). Seen by Dr, plethora of tests, x-Rays, bloods etc to be told, 9 hours after leaving home......'don't know why you're here, at 91 you're fitter than most 60 year olds'

He's loving retelling all this palaver, I'm feeling murderous........wasting NHS time is a no no IMO. Mum's still utterly bemused by the whole saga!

Hoping so very much that all continue to improve.

My mum is out of hospital (telling anybody who will listen that they threw her out because they needed the bed) and has recovered enough now to be awkward! The surgeon seems confident that he got all of the tumour, but there are follow up appointments with him booked for three and twelve weeks time. I've also made an appointment for her to see her GP on Friday when I hope (I'm going to prime him) he will give her a royal telling off for not eating. I've managed to get her on to Fortisip until her gastric problem has been dealt with, but mum now sees that as the be all and end all, so refuses to eat anything else. [Aargh!] My sister (the one in America) is coming home to take over for a week on Monday and she's already so exasperated by mum that she's taken to yelling at her over the phone! (Causing my mum to shrug and grin like a naughty schoolgirl!)
It was brought home to me at the hospital just how much weight mum has lost when she produced a size 16/18 nightie that she's had for a year or so and I realised she should now be in a size 4/6. The problem is that mum thinks she's losing weight because she's ill and won't accept that her weight loss is primarily due to her not eating, as has been confirmed by the many doctors she's recently seen. She does have digestion problems, but isn't helping herself by refusing to eat.
As for my mum being reassured to have me with her - - I'm sure that she's slightly put out that I'm more straightforward with her than my siblings are. I'm not unkind, but I don't play games. So when she described to her doctor a completely fabricated account of what she eats at home I told him straight up that it was a fantasy. She started to argue with me but was shut up - and decidedly not amused - when my brother, who usually wouldn't comment, concurred with what I'd said.
Overall though my mum is grateful for my attentions, even if she does find my style of ministering to her a little uncomfortable at times.

Wonderful news about your new GD, grannyactivist. Your DD must be so relieved and happy too. How about your mum? I hope she is making good progress. It must have been so reassuring for her to have you by her side.

Such good news - so difficult for you being so far away.

Hope that your Mum is comfortable and being well cared-for.

brilliant.

Brilliant news GA, thank you for taking the time to let us know. I have been wondering how things are. How is your Mum?

Sounds good granny-a.

What a wonderful moment for them both ga
I hope your granddaughter continues to gain strength and best wishes for your mother too.

What a lovely post. It sounds as if your daughter and granddaughter are going to be just fine.

My granddaughter is one week old today and yesterday was allowed out of her 'hothouse' for a first, brief cuddle with her mummy. It's been a tricky few days, but as I said before, I think she's a little fighter. I must admit I shed a tear to see a photo of my daughter holding her baby for the first time. Her husband is an absolute brick and I realise that however much I may be concerned for them my son in law will do everything in his power to ensure they both receive the best of care. He very recently lost his mum and must be reeling, but I have no doubt that he's a 'safe pair of hands' to entrust with my precious daughter and grandchild.

Stay positive, ga.

Hope your mother is improving.

I am so encouraged by all these positive stories and good wishes. I am choosing to be hopeful for my little granddaughter and looking forward to going out to visit her in the summer.

Hope things going well for you grannya. We are indeed the sandwich generation, with those above and below us needing our help and support. Just wanted to tell you about my friend's son who was born at 26 weeks weighing less than 2 lbs ( pre metric of course). That was 35 years ago and he is now a fit and burly Police officer with an Oxbridge degree. to you.

Wishing you a peaceful night

Home from the hospital and going straight to bed singing the praises of the NHS and especially one particularly lovely nurse named Lily. Whatever tomorrow may bring I am very grateful for the love and support I've received from a great many people.

Al my good wishes are winging their way to you and yours, GA.

I do hope you get some good news soon grannya you must feel absolutely devastated and helpless. And having to keep it from your mother just adds to the strain. We are all thinking of you and hoping all goes well

Sending hope for tiny baby and ill mother. Keep strong for them grannya.